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Shakti
Amid a political climate of right-wing, nationalist leadership, three very different women in the city of Calcutta find themselves gifted with magical powers that match their wildest dreams. There is one the gifts come with a Faustian price. With unforgettable heroines and an irresistible pace, Shakti unfolds a world of as much courage as there is darkness, and a journey across a country in the throes of profound transformation. A hitherto unseen country that is made up of the secrets, longings, wounds and strengths of many human hearts.
333 pages, Paperback
Published February 18, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 2, 2021
Magical realism in a disturbing political thriller, told in a confessional first person voice, SHAKTI is not the sort of novel that you'd normally expect to show up in the list for a crime fiction award, but if the Ngaio Marsh Award has shown me anything over recent years it's to expect the unexpected, and go with it.
A story of women, their courage, their struggles and secrets, set against a backdrop of right-wing, nationalist politics, this is about three Indian women who find themselves dealing with a great gift, and the consequences of that. What if the greatest gift you ever received came from those you trusted least? What if it stained your hands with blood, but also turned you into a hero? Are your fundamental beliefs coming from a god or a demon?
Needless to say, not a straight-forward thriller, the magical realism aspects of this novel are very high on the agenda, but as a form for exploring human reactions in the event of darkness, threat and unexpected transformation. The thriller aspects of the novel come from the constant tension that is felt in the epic good versus evil battle that's going on - this time without the super-hero's or the overt villains, instead SHAKTI is often an internal battle, conducted against a Faustian background, with the hand that holds the triggers not always obvious.
Not my usual reading to say the least, SHAKTI was utterly compelling, intriguing, and odd - in a good way.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
A story of women, their courage, their struggles and secrets, set against a backdrop of right-wing, nationalist politics, this is about three Indian women who find themselves dealing with a great gift, and the consequences of that. What if the greatest gift you ever received came from those you trusted least? What if it stained your hands with blood, but also turned you into a hero? Are your fundamental beliefs coming from a god or a demon?
Needless to say, not a straight-forward thriller, the magical realism aspects of this novel are very high on the agenda, but as a form for exploring human reactions in the event of darkness, threat and unexpected transformation. The thriller aspects of the novel come from the constant tension that is felt in the epic good versus evil battle that's going on - this time without the super-hero's or the overt villains, instead SHAKTI is often an internal battle, conducted against a Faustian background, with the hand that holds the triggers not always obvious.
Not my usual reading to say the least, SHAKTI was utterly compelling, intriguing, and odd - in a good way.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
January 20, 2024
Like watching a trainwreck in slow motion
December 11, 2021
What a disappointment. Honestly, I really enjoyed the first half; it was very promising and I was intrigued how far the mystery of it all will reach.
I don't mind if a novel doesn't reveal every "why and how" of the fantasy aspect. But here we go barely bare-bones. There is nothing to sink you teeth into for further introspection. We go from wow, how deep will this conspiracy go to so we truly won't even acknowledge everything set up in the first 100 pages, huh?!'.
A lot of unrealized potential that ultimately left me unsatisfied, and not in a way of I want more, but a I shouldn't have bothered finishing it.
I don't mind if a novel doesn't reveal every "why and how" of the fantasy aspect. But here we go barely bare-bones. There is nothing to sink you teeth into for further introspection. We go from wow, how deep will this conspiracy go to so we truly won't even acknowledge everything set up in the first 100 pages, huh?!'.
A lot of unrealized potential that ultimately left me unsatisfied, and not in a way of I want more, but a I shouldn't have bothered finishing it.
Shelved as 'hibernatingx'
April 6, 2020This was a DNF for me. Made it to about page 70-something. I'm not sure why it didn't grab me, maybe I just wasn't in the right mood? Or maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace for a story about female power told by a male author. There are so many good books along those lines these days that are written by women...
August 16, 2020
A compelling and original premise
I could not put this one down. The premise was fresh and the characters well formed. Set in current day India. I loved the read but it only get a 4 stars because I found the ending a little lacking - not a major problem but not as good as the rest of the book. Put it on your reading list if you like magical realism.
I could not put this one down. The premise was fresh and the characters well formed. Set in current day India. I loved the read but it only get a 4 stars because I found the ending a little lacking - not a major problem but not as good as the rest of the book. Put it on your reading list if you like magical realism.
December 29, 2020
A reviewer compared Chakraborti's writing to Haruki Murakami. No way. The main character painfully described everything they were thinking or doing (even when they didn't have to - see how annoying it can get?) The story would have taken off - the writing ruined it.
May 30, 2020
I think that this book would appeal to readers who are able to immerse themselves in an alternative Indian world where shakti gives immense power but its loss leads to death.
July 12, 2020
Utterly weird. Fascinating. Compelling.
January 20, 2021
slightly overwhelming and intense but loved how it responded to contemporary India. gonna be spending a lot of time with this book
March 1, 2021
Not the only strangest book I have read but this is a very fresh idea in very well narrated novel
March 10, 2020
Started Well.Good Premise .Could have been much better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews